Chapter 164

No.11's arms coiled around Elara's neck like vines, pulling himself up eagerly until his body pressed tightly against hers. Not even the stiff fabric of her uniform could create a space between them. He wanted to bring her into his world of shadows. He wanted to be drawn in her warmth. He wanted to hide her away—to shackle her in a tiny underground room where she could only cry and smile for him alone. To keep her in a place only he knew, where no one could ever take her from him. He regretted it now. Why had he let that man die so easily? He should have left him alive. Death was a mercy upon that man. The true punishment was living. … The massive translucent jellyfish, No.4, had all its delicate tentacles pressed against the clear glass walls, curling itself into the shape of an enormous flower. After repeatedly shoving No.11 back into the water tank as he kept trying to climb out, Elara finally sealed the lid. Only then did she get to step up to the glass wall and greet No.4